The impact of Ni-Cd Batteries and Fluorescent Lights in the environment

Solar Lighting Systems of past have been using Ni-Cd batteries and fluorescent lights. The cadmium and mercury in these batteries and bulbs are toxic. These elements need to be carefully managed to minimise potential environmental impact.

Since our first entry point into solar lighting, we have modernised the market in renewable energy and has pioneered the development of the very first ‘All-in-One’ solar lighting system, using lithium-Ion batteries and LED Lighting.

Past solar lighting system technologies contribute to the accumulation of cadmium and mercury waste in landfill across Australia. Approximately 90 cadmium waste tonnes and 18 mercury waste tonnes are being sent per year, generating a noted concern for our environment.

Fluorescent Lamp and Ni-Cd battery recycling is a priority since these materials present a high hazard to our natural environment.

ExitCycle and FluoroCycle are initiatives supported by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and managed by Lighting Council Australia, the peak body for Australia’s lighting industry.

Today we are proud to announce our commitment to these two projects that seek the proper disposals of resources that affect our environment.

As the leaders of the lighting industry, we should all be supporting these schemes and helping them to grow.

“ExitCycle’s objective is to reduce the amount of cadmium and lead entering the environment from end-of-life emergency and exit lighting batteries by continuously increasing the recycling of these batteries.” ExitCycle

“FluoroCycle, an Australian Government accredited voluntary product stewardship scheme, seeks to increase the national recycling rate of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps.” FluoroCycle

At LEADSUN, we believe that every city around the world should freely have access sustainable energy. If we could change traditional street lights with solar powered lighting systems, it would reduce global electricity consumption by more than 50% avoiding 735 million tons of CO2 each year.

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Safer

In Australia, almost 1/3 of young women don’t feel safe at night in public places. Our new energy technology, combined with wireless CCTV, can play an important role in making our cities feel safer.